Kathy Casey's Sips & Apps

Here in Washington we are lucky to have one of the most vibrant and growing cocktail and culinary scenes in the nation. One person who is creating and taking that scene to the next level is Kathy Casey of Kathy Casey Food Studios and Dish D'Lish. As some of you may know, Kathy Casey was gracious enough to participate in our tasting panel when we were finalizing the recipe for Voyager Gin back in 2008. Her input and the input of other cocktail and culinary experts helped make Voyager a rising star in many local cocktail establishments. She also has recently published a wonderful book called "Sips & Apps" which features classic and contemporary cocktails and appetizers.
http://www.kathycasey.com/shop_cookbooks.html
We recently had an opportunity to see Kathy in action as she appeared on the "Kelly Moore Show-Moore to Life"
http://www.king5.com/on-tv/moore-to-life/Moore-To-Life-How-to-party-like-a-pro-69409727.html
In this episode, Kathy creates a cocktail featuring Voyager Gin called the "Sparkletini." To create the Sparkletini, Kathy infused the Voyager with a small sprig of Douglas fir to create this unique holiday cocktail.
Here's another take on Kathy's Sparkletini:
http://www.smallscreennetwork.com/video/368/inspired_sips_kathycasey_dougfir_640x360/
We would like to thank Kathy for being a friend of Pacific Distillery supporting our Voyager Gin and Pacifque Absinthe. We heartily encourage you to pick up a copy of Sips & Apps to help you with your holiday entertaining.

Our new marketing reach in the Seattle Weekly

Well, we've done it. Pacific Distillery has purchased some advertising in the Seattle Weekly. It is our first real foray into advertising in a regional setting. The ads began to run last week and will continue through the New Year's edition. As some of you may remember, Seattle Weekly was the first media to write about our new distillery.

http://www.seattleweekly.com/

Drink Up New York (DUNY) has Pacifique and Voyager back in stock!

Great News! After a long dry summer, Drink Up New York is getting its long-awaited supply of Pacifique Absinthe Verte and Voyager Dry Gin! They are taking orders now and will begin shipping on or around November 13, 2009. Remember, all orders over $99 will include free shipping.

www.drinkupny.com

Media and Press for our products

I'll try from time-to-time to include little tidbits that give an accounting of Pacific Distillery and our products. Here's a few:

Imbibe Magazine gins things up:
http://www.imbibemagazine.com/Ginning-Things-Up
AJ Rathbun from Wino Magazine has a few words:
http://www.winomagazine.com/2009/08/be-still-my-heart/
The Absinthe Review Network has a current review of Pacifique:
http://www.absinthe-review.net/Pacifique_review.htm
The Cocktail Hacker reviews Voyager Gin:
http://cocktailhacker.com/?p=1175
Sated in Seattle give us their view of our distillery:
http://satedinseattle.wordpress.com/2009/02/12/pacific-distillery/
Alcohology gives us a gin lesson:
http://alcohology.wordpress.com/2009/01/18/new-american-gin/
Stevi Deter's blog teaches us the Gin-Gin Mule:
http://www.twoatthemost.com/voyager-gin-and-the-gin-gin-mule/
Paul Clarke give Voyager some love in a recent Serious Eats post:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/09/serious-cocktails-the-gin-boomlet.html

We'll try to bring you updates on a more regular basis...I promise.
Cheers!

Great American Distillers Festival

For those of you in the Portland, Oregon area (or would like to visit), Pacific Distillery will be at the 5th annual Great American Distillers Festival on the 24th & 25th of October. We will be pouring samples of our Pacifique Absinthe and Voyager Dry Gin. The event will be held at the Bossanova Ballroom on E. Burnside St.
http://www.distillersfestival.com/index.html
In addition to over 20 distilleries offering their spirits for tasting, there will be a mixology competition sponsored by the Oregon and Washington Bartenders Guilds. Also featured will be an assortment of seminars, food & spirit pairings, and local distillery tours. Drop in for a visit, we would love to chat with you!

Teaming up with Tempus Fugit Spirits

I know it's been a while since my last post. Things have been very busy for us here at the distillery. I am happy and proud to announce that Pacific Distillery has made an agreement with Tempus Fugit Spirits to be our USA representative for all states other than Washington. Many of you may know Tempus Fugit as the company that brings you excellent absinthes such as Duplais, Vieux Pontarlier, and Mansinthe to the USA market.

For further information, contact Tempus Fugit Spirits at:
www.tempusfugitspirits.com

Our first Distiller's Dinner at Prohibition Grille

For those you folks who are local (or near local) we are pleased to announce the inaugural gourmet Pacific Distillery dinner with paired cocktails featuring Pacifique Absinthe Verte Superieure and Voyager Single-Batch Distilled Gin from Woodinville, WA. This event will be next Tuesday, June 16, 2009 starting at 6:00PM. For a mere $50 (five courses, premium cocktails, not including tax and gratuity) you will be able to enjoy the unique and adventurous collaboration of Chef Rocky of Prohibition Grille and Master Distiller Marc Bernhard. We will begin with a brief overview of the menu and then continue with insights into each course pairing, while also allowing for interaction with the guests as the evening progresses. The educational opportunity and gastronomic offerings will surely prove to be an experience to be treasured for years to come! Due to a limited number of available spaces, we encourage you to immediately call our gracious hosts:

PROHIBITION GRILLE
1414 Hewitt Ave.
Everett, WA 98201 RSVP @ 425.258.6100

http://www.prohibitiongrille.com/
As usual, any questions may be directed to us- we look forward to your response! Many thanks for your continued support

New York, New York...

Last month we made a trip to the Big Apple, New York City for the roll-out of Pacifique Absinthe and Voyager Gin. While there we visited three premiere NYC liquor stores that are now carrying our gin and absinthe. We were well received by these fine establishments and wanted to update our friends of the availability of our spirits by these folks. All these liquor stores sell our products online (in case you live in a state where our liquors are not yet available). With no further ado, here are links to these fine liquor outlets:

DrinkupNY
http://www.drinkupny.com/

Astor Wine & Spirits
http://www.astorwines.com/

Beekman Liquors
http://www.beekmanliquors.com/

We will keep you posted as new stores come into carrying our products.

Also, we visited Pigalle, a fabulous French restaurant in the Theatre district. We had an opportunity to visit with Thibault, the restaurant's manager. Thibaud made our visit to Pigalle a truly special event. Pigalle was like a little bit of Paris in the heart of NYC. If you happen to be in NYC, we encourage you visit Pigalle and sip a glass of Pacifique.
http://www.pigallenyc.com/

...more good press for Pacifique Absinthe

Recently last week some of the good folks at KOMO news (the local ABS television affiliate) dropped by to talk about our Pacifique Absinthe.
http://www.komonews.com/news/44950672.html

Good press for distilleries

Just to share with the fine folks here. In today's Seattle Times business section, there is an article discussing the growth of distilleries here in my home state of Washington. The article prominently mentions our distillery, includes some photos of us, and a video of one of Seattle's top cocktail bars louching up a glass of Pacifique. Here is the link:http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009201758_localliquor10.html

Voyager Single-Batch Distilled Gin on The Small Screen Network

A good friend of the distillery, Robert "Drink Boy" Hess, is not only known for his wit and charm, he is also quite the cocktail guru. As many of you may know, Robert has created a special cocktail known as the "Clipper Ship" featuring, and based on, our gin and absinthe. He is also host of Small Screen Network's Internet-based show, "The Cocktail Spirit."
Robert recently produced an episode featuring Voyager Gin in an interesting new cocktail creation, "The Petruchio" from Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew.
Take a look:
http://www.smallscreennetwork.com/video/194/petrucio/#vcx_2sqngi0b4081
Cheers,
Marc

News...

Wanted to let everyone know that we received word today that our Pacifique Absinthe has been selected for listing in Washington State Liquor Stores! Hopefully by the end of June, WSLCB-owned stores will be stocking our absinthe.
There are a select few liquor stores in that now have special ordered a limited stock of Pacifique Absinthe. They are:
#020 Woodinville , 425-483-2219
#078 Shoreline, 206-366-2634
#179 North Bend, 425-888-2624
#136 Ballard/Crown Hill, 206-545-6780
#028 Seattle, (12th & E. Pine), 206-720-3459
#046 Seattle, (6th & Lenora, for Bars/Restaurant only), 206-464-7841
#010 Vancouver, 360-750-4048
#077 Seattle, (Queen Anne) 206-298-4616
#101 Seattle, (4th Ave. S.) 206-587-5687
#062 Edmonds, 425-778-4001
#093 Kenmore, 425-486-0538
#118 Seattle, (Raineer Beach) 206-721-4175
#096 Seattle, (University Village) 206-545-6650
#092 Tacoma (Evergreen Plaza II, for Bars/Restaurants only) 253-471-4400
We anticipate this stock to run out before all the stores are supplied from our being listed, and from our experience with Voyager becoming listed, there will not be anymore special orders or re-stocking until the June time-frame.

Our Gin and Absinthe are now available at Drink Up New York!

Our Voyager Gin and Pacifique Absinthe are now available for pre-sale at Drink Up New York. This is good news for those of you that don't have access a Washington State Liquor Store.
Drink Up New York (DUNY) is one of the premier online retailers for premium spirits and wines. Their main web address is:
www. drinkupny.com
The specific link for Voyager pre-sale is: http://www.drinkupny.com/Voyager_Gin_p/s0779.htm
The direct link for Pacifique pre-sale is: http://www.drinkupny.com/Pacifique_Absinthe_Verte_p/s0778.htm

Also, remember that orders over $99.99 at DUNY get free shipping!

Absinthe, part IV & Voyager update

We have delivered more cases of absinthe to the WSLCB main warehouse. It will be going to the Woodinville store #20 and to the South Seattle Store #101. We anticipate it to arrive at the stores late next week. If you're interested contact the stores.
Woodinville #20, phone 425-483-2219
Seattle store #101, phone 206-587-5687

Also, as many of you know, our Voyager Single-Batch Distilled Gin is now a listed product for Washington State liquor stores. State-owned stores have been receiving their cases beginning this week. If the store that serves you is a contract liquor store, ask the owner/manager to stock our gin. The WSLCB ordering code is 32700.

Absinthe, part III

We recently delivered some special order cases of our Pacifique Absinthe Verte. For those of you in the Seattle restaurant/bar trade, we delivered four cases that are destined for the "restaurant/bar" liquor store in downtown Seattle. If you have a favorite restaurant or bar in Seattle to drink an absinthe, let them know it is available from the 6th & Lenora store. We also delivered some for the Woodinville WSLCB store #20 for individual bottle sales. To see when they actually have the Pacifique in I would suggest you call them to save a trip. The Woodinville store's phone number is: 425-483-2219 and the Lenora store's phone is 206-464-7841. Also, any WSLCB store will special order you our Pacifique, but it is only in 6-pack cases at this time.

Bars featuring Voyager Gin

I would like to update you fine folks who are following this blog and have been a source of support for us. Voyager Single-Batch Distilled Gin has been approved for listing with the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) and should be showing up soon at a local WSLCB store within the next month or so. I would like to shout out to some of the local bars in the Seattle area that have stepped up to the plate and special-ordered Voyager for their establishments:

Andrew at Liberty Bar in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. Liberty has the distinction of being the first establishment on the planet to feature Voyager Gin.

Murray and Kacy from Zig Zag in Seattle's Pike Place district. Murray told me that they went through 4 bottles of Voyager last Friday night!

Jim from Vessel in Seattle's Downtown district.

I would like to give a great "Thank you" to Robert Hess, who many of you know as DrinkBoy from www.drinkboy.com Robert has created a new classic cocktail we call the "Clipper Ship" featuring Voyager Gin. Here's a direct link to the cocktail:

http://www.drinkboy.com/Cocktails/Recipe.aspx?itemid=198

There are a few things that we will be sharing with all of you in the near future regarding the rollout of Voyager Gin and Pacifique Absinthe. Stay tuned!

Absinthe, part II

Well, we have our absinthe label approved as of last month and have about 400 liters of still-strength spirit "resting" (the TTB doesn't allow us to call it aging) and have received our new absinthe labels. We have also made a few test bottlings to see how the new label looks. So far the absinthe tastes wonderful. We could not be happier with the results. We plan on doing another run of the absinthe and gin this upcoming weekend. Maggie Dutton of the Seattle Weekly came by last week to take a look at our distillery. Hopefully you'll be able to read something about Pacific Distillery in the near future. Also, there is a brief feature by Anna Roth concerning our distillery and Pacifique Absinthe in this month's Seattle Metropolitan magazine. Unfortunately they botched the picture by showing the bartender lighting absinthe on fire at the Polar Bar in downtown Seattle's Arctic Club Hotel. I need to pay those guys a visit and show them how to serve an absinthe.Oh well, at least my name was spelled correctly. Also, for you gin fans, Liberty Bar in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood now has our Voyager Single-Batch Distilled Gin in their bar!!! They are the first commercial bar in Washington to offer our gin to you fine folks. Zig-Zag near Seattle's Pike Place Market should soon have Voyager on their bar also. I strongly suggest you visit these fine establishments and order a Voyager Martini! We'll keep you posted as more bars pick up our fine spirits.

UPDATE! Maggie Dutton's article has just been published in the Seattle Weekly. Here's the link:

http://www.seattleweekly.com/2009-01-07/food/and-then-there-were-two/